Systems and methods for a water hammer arrestor

ABSTRACT

A fluid system can have a water hammer arrestor including a resilient insert having an outer surface. The resilient insert can be operable to dampen a pressure spike in the fluid that exceeds a static pressure range, providing effective water hammer arrestment that without the resilient insert, would have occurred in a flowing fluid with the pressure spike. The static pressure range can be up to about 100 psig.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/837,582, filed 23 Apr. 2019, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety as if fully set forth below.

BACKGROUND

Hydraulic shock (known as water hammer) is a common phenomenon in fluidplumbing systems wherever fast-acting valves are present, such as indishwashers, washing machines, and other plumbing fixtures. Water hammeris caused by the kinetic energy of flow being converted to the potentialenergy of pressure and strain; the consequent reaction forces within theplumbing cause audible and vibrational responses known as “waterhammer.” However, an acoustic response is but one of the consequences ofwater hammer; the peak pressures during a water hammer event may lead tofailure of the piping, valves, or other components within a plumbingsystem. Engineered water hammer arrestors (WHAs) address this issue byinterfacing with existing plumbing systems and limiting the peakpressure during a water hammer event. Typical WHA designs arefree-piston designs which utilize a moving piston to compress a gascushion to relieve system pressure during a water hammer event. Thesedesigns require moving parts that can easily wear or break requiringfrequent replacement or repair.

Thus, it would be advantageous to have a WHA that does not have movingparts and reduce the number and cost of replacements or repairs of a WHAdevice.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide systems, devices,and methods to meet the above-stated needs.

An example fluid system can have a water hammer arrestor including aresilient insert having an outer surface. The resilient insert can beoperable to dampen a pressure spike in the fluid that exceeds a staticpressure range, providing effective water hammer arrestment that withoutthe resilient insert, would have occurred in a flowing fluid with thepressure spike. The static pressure range is less than about 100 psig.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include an inner surface, theinner surface defining therethrough a channel for a fluid flowing alonga length of the resilient insert within a static pressure range.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor can further include an outershell extending for a length of the outer surface of the resilientinsert and defining a fluid channel between the outer surface ofresilient insert and an inner surface of the outer shell.

In some examples, the fluid system can further include a restrainingportion integral to the outer shell and operable to restrain theresilient insert within the outer shell.

In some examples, the resilient insert and the outer shell can beconcentrically aligned.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor can further include apermeable cage extending along the outer surface of the resilient insertand placed between the outer shell and the resilient insert.

In some examples, the fluid system can further include an existinglength of a fluidic conduit; wherein the water hammer arrestor can belocated between an upstream portion and downstream portion of theexisting length of the fluidic conduit; and wherein the upstream portionof the existing length of the fluidic conduit, the water hammerarrestor, and the downstream portion of the existing length of thefluidic conduit, can be in fluidic communication along the existinglength of the portions and water hammer arrestor.

In some examples, the fluid system can further include a fluid inletconnector disposed on an upstream end of the water hammer arrestorproviding both connectivity of the upstream end of the water hammerarrestor to the upstream portion of the fluidic conduit and to inhibittravel of the resilient insert into the upstream portion of the fluidicconduit; and a fluid outlet connector disposed on a downstream end ofthe water hammer arrestor providing both connectivity of the downstreamend of the water hammer arrestor to the downstream portion of thefluidic conduit and to inhibit travel of the resilient insert into thedownstream portion of the fluidic conduit.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor can further include an outershell extending along the outer surface of the resilient insert.

In some examples, the fluid system can further include an existinglength of a fluidic conduit; wherein the water hammer arrestor can bepositioned between an upstream portion and downstream portion of theexisting length of the fluidic conduit; and wherein the upstream portionof the existing length of the fluidic conduit, the water hammerarrestor, and the downstream portion of the existing length of thefluidic conduit, can be in fluidic communication along the existinglength of the portions and water hammer arrestor.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include a first discreteresilient insert portion and a second discrete resilient insert portionthat can be operable to physically abut one another, preventing radialcompression of the resilient insert that would lead to ineffective waterhammer arrestment.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include an annularcross-section; and wherein each of the discrete resilient insert portionincludes a partially annular cross-section.

In some examples, the resilient insert can be segmented axially to formthe first discrete resilient insert portion and the second discreteresilient insert portion.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include a polymeric matrixhaving a stiffness; and microspheres dispersed within the polymericmatrix.

In some examples, the microspheres can be pressurized to an internalpressure of 0.1 MPa or greater; and wherein the microspheres can behomogeneously dispersed within the polymeric matrix.

In some examples, wherein the microspheres can be pressurized to aninternal pressure of 0.1 MPa or greater; and wherein the microspherescan be heterogeneously dispersed within the polymeric matrix.

In some examples, each resilient insert can includes a polymeric matrixhaving a stiffness; and microspheres dispersed within the polymericmatrix; and wherein the microspheres can be pressurized to an internalpressure of 0.1 MPa or greater; and wherein the stiffness of thepolymeric matrix of at least one of the resilient insert portions can bedifferent from another of the resilient insert portions.

An example water hammer arrestor system can include an upstream portionof a fluidic conduit; a water hammer arrestor positioned downstream ofthe upstream portion of the fluidic conduit; and a downstream portion ofthe fluidic conduit and positioned downstream the water hammer arrestor.

The water hammer arrestor can include a resilient insert having an outersurface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining therethrough achannel, the channel having an inner diameter substantially similar toan inner diameter of the upstream and downstream portions of the fluidicconduit; and an outer shell extending a length along an outer surface ofthe resilient insert; wherein the resilient insert can include a firstdiscrete resilient insert portion and a second discrete resilient insertportion that can be operable to physically abut one another, preventingradial compression of the resilient insert that would lead toineffective water hammer arrestment; wherein the resilient insert can beoperable to dampen a pressure spike in flowing fluid that exceeds a meanstatic pressure, providing effective water hammer arrestment thatwithout the resilient insert, would have occurred in a flowing fluidwith the pressure spike; and wherein the mean static pressure is lessthan about 100 psig.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include an annularcross-section; and wherein each of the discrete resilient insert portionincludes a partially annular cross-section.

In some examples, the resilient insert can be segmented axially to formthe first discrete resilient insert portion and the second discreteresilient insert portion.

In some examples, The water hammer arrestor system can further include afluid inlet connector disposed on an upstream end of the water hammerarrestor such that the upstream end of the water hammer arrestor can bein communication with the upstream portion of the fluidic conduit and toinhibit travel of the resilient insert into the upstream portion of thefluidic conduit; and a fluid outlet connector disposed on a downstreamend of the water hammer arrestor such that the downstream end of thewater hammer arrestor can be in communication with the downstreamportion of the fluidic conduit and to inhibit travel of the resilientinsert into the downstream portion of the fluidic conduit.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor system can further include apermeable tube extending for the length of the inner surface of theresilient insert and operable to enable fluidic communication from thefluid inlet connector through the fluid outlet connector.

In some examples, the permeable tube can include a flange positioned onat least one end of the permeable tube, the flange operable to restrainthe resilient insert within the outer shell.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor can further include arestraining portion integral to the outer shell and operable to restrainthe resilient insert within the outer shell.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor can further include a fluidinlet connector disposed on an upstream end of the water hammerarrestor; a fluid outlet connector disposed on a downstream end of thewater hammer arrestor; and a restraining insert including a permeabletube can be operable to enable fluidic communication from the fluidinlet connector and through the fluid outlet connector.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor can further include a flangewith an outer diameter disposed on an end of the permeable tube; whereinthe outer diameter of the flange can abut an inner surface of the outershell; and wherein the flange can be operable to restrain the resilientinsert within the length of the outer shell.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor can further include arestraining portion integral to the outer shell and operable to restrainthe resilient insert within the outer shell.

An example fluid system can include a water hammer arrestor having aresilient insert having an outer surface; wherein the resilient insertcan be operable to dampen a pressure spike in fluid that exceeds astatic pressure range, providing effective water hammer arrestment thatwithout the resilient insert, would have occurred in a flowing fluidwith the pressure spike.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor can further include an outershell having an opening that connects to an inner surface, the innersurface configured to receive at least a portion of the resilientinsert.

In some examples, the fluid system can further include an existinglength of a fluidic conduit; wherein the water hammer arrestor can bepositioned between an upstream portion and downstream portion of theexisting length of the fluidic conduit; and wherein the upstream portionof the existing length of the fluidic conduit, the water hammerarrestor, and the downstream portion of the existing length of thefluidic conduit, can be in fluidic communication with one another.

In some examples, the resilient insert further can include an openingconnecting the outer surface to an inner surface, the inner surfacedefining a cavity within the resilient insert.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include an annularcross-section.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include a first discreteresilient insert portion and a second discrete resilient insert portionthat can be operable to physically abut one another.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include an annularcross-section; and wherein each of the discrete resilient insert portionincludes a partially annular cross-section.

In some examples, the resilient insert can be segmented axially to formthe first discrete resilient insert portion and the second discreteresilient insert portion.

In some examples, each resilient insert portion can include a polymericmatrix having a stiffness; and microspheres dispersed within thepolymeric matrix.

In some examples, the microspheres can be pressurized to an internalpressure of 0.1 MPa or greater; and wherein the microspheres can behomogeneously dispersed within the polymeric matrix.

In some examples, the microspheres can be pressurized to an internalpressure of 0.1 MPa or greater; and wherein the microspheres can beheterogeneously dispersed within the polymeric matrix.

In some examples, each resilient insert portion can include a polymericmatrix having a stiffness; and microspheres dispersed within thepolymeric matrix; wherein the microspheres can be pressurized to aninternal pressure of 0.1 MPa or greater; and wherein the stiffness ofthe polymeric matrix of at least one resilient insert portion can bedifferent from another resilient insert portion.

An example water hammer arrestor system can include an upstream portionof a fluidic conduit; a water hammer arrestor positioned downstream ofthe upstream portion of the fluidic conduit; and a downstream portion ofthe fluidic conduit being positioned downstream the water hammerarrestor. The water hammer arrestor can further include a resilientinsert having an outer surface; and an outer shell having an openingthat connects to an inner surface configured to receive at least aportion of the resilient insert; wherein the resilient insert can beoperable to dampen a pressure spike in flowing fluid that exceeds astatic pressure range, providing effective water hammer arrestment thatwithout the resilient insert, would have occurred in a flowing fluidwith the pressure spike.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include a first discreteresilient insert portion and a second discrete resilient insert portionthat can be each operable to physically abut one another.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include an annularcross-section; and wherein each of the discrete resilient insertportions include a partially annular cross-section.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include an annularcross-section.

In some examples, the resilient insert can be segmented axially to forma first discrete resilient insert portion and a second discreteresilient insert portion.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor system can further include afluid connector disposed at the opening of the outer shell and providingconnectivity between the resilient insert and the fluidic conduit.

In some examples, the fluid connector can be configured to receive anddischarge fluid associated with the pressure spike and fluid flowingthrough the fluid conduit.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor can include a restrainingportion integral to the outer shell and operable to restrain theresilient insert within the outer shell.

In some examples, the resilient insert further can include an openingconnecting the outer surface to an inner surface, the inner surfacedefining a cavity.

In some examples, the water hammer arrestor system can further include afluid connector disposed between the fluidic conduit and the waterhammer arrestor; and a restraining insert having a restraining portionintegral to the outer shell and operable to restrain the resilientinsert within the outer shell.

An example method for manufacturing an in-line water hammer arrestor caninclude providing a resilient insert having an outer surface and aninner surface, the inner surface defining therethrough a channel for afluid flowing along a length of the resilient insert within a staticpressure range, the resilient insert being operable to dampen a pressurespike in the fluid that exceeds the static pressure range and providewater hammer arrestment that, without the resilient insert, would haveoccurred in the flowing fluid with the pressure spike; providing anouter shell extending along the outer surface of the resilient insert,the outer shell having an integral fluid connector, and an inner wall,the integral fluid connector disposed proximate an upstream end of theouter shell; providing a restraining insert comprising a permeable tubeoperable to enable fluid communication between the resilient insert andthe channel; providing a discrete fluid connector disposed on adownstream end of the outer shell; inserting the restraining insertwithin the outer shell; inserting the resilient insert into the channel;and attaching the discrete fluid connector to the downstream end of theouter shell.

In some examples, the method can further include the integral fluidconnector disposed on an upstream end of the outer shell can beconfigured to provide fluid connectivity between an upstream portion ofthe channel and an upstream end of a fluidic conduit.

In some examples, the discrete fluid connector can be disposed on adownstream end of the outer shell provides fluid connectivity between adownstream portion of the channel and a downstream end of a fluidicconduit.

In some examples, the restraining insert of the in-line water hammerarrestor can further include at least one flange with an outer diameterand disposed on at least one end of the permeable tube, the outerdiameter of the flange can abut an inner surface of the outer shell, andthe flange can be operable to restrain the resilient insert within theouter shell.

In some examples, the outer shell of the in-line water hammer arrestorcan further include a restraining portion integral to the outer shelloperable to restrain the resilient insert within the outer shell.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include a first discreteresilient insert portion and a second discrete resilient insert portionthat can be operable to physically abut one another, preventing radialcompression of the resilient insert that would lead to ineffective waterhammer arrestment.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include an annularcross-section; and wherein each of the discrete resilient insert portionincludes a partially annular cross-section.

In some examples, the first discrete resilient insert portion and thesecond discrete resilient insert portion can be segmented axially.

An example method for manufacturing a side-branch water hammer arrestorcan include providing a resilient insert having an outer surface;providing an outer shell having an opening that connects to an innersurface configured to receive at least a portion of the resilientinsert; providing a fluid connector; inserting the resilient insertwithin the outer shell; and affixing the fluid connector to the openingof the outer shell providing fluid connectivity for fluid flow into andout of the resilient insert.

In some examples, method can further include inserting a resilientinsert into an outer shell; affixing a fluid connector to an opening ofthe outer shell such that fluid flows into and out of the resilientinsert.

In some examples, the resilient insert further can include an openingpositioned on the outer surface and connecting to an inner surface, theinner surface defining a cavity.

In some examples, the outer shell further can include a restrainingportion integral to the outer shell and operable to restrain theresilient insert within the outer shell.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include a first discreteresilient insert portion and a second discrete resilient insert portion,each portion operable to physically abut one another.

In some examples, each of the discrete resilient insert portion includea partially annular cross-section.

In some examples, the resilient insert can be segmented axially to forma first discrete resilient insert portion and a second discreteresilient insert portion.

In some examples, the resilient insert can include an annularcross-section.

In an example water hammer arrestor, foam-based arresters permitflow-through designs, which may have benefit for integration intoexisting and new plumbing systems, as well as potentially reducing otherfluid-borne noise beyond water hammer. Foam-based devices can also beimplemented in both side-branch or flow-through configurations. Incontrast, syntactic foams, comprising microspheres dispersed in apolymeric matrix, have been shown to be mechanically robust in hydraulicsystems, and can be capable of being “pre-charged” to pressures aboveambient.

Other implementations, features, and aspects of the disclosed technologyare described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimeddisclosed technology and can be understood with reference to thefollowing detailed description, accompanying drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Reference will now be made to the accompanying figures and flowdiagrams, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIGS. 1A-D illustrate an exploded view of an example fluid system, asdisclosed herein.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrates a cross-section view of an example water hammerarrestor, as disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an example water hammer arrestor, asdisclosed herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for manufacturing an example in-line waterhammer arrestor, as disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for manufacturing an example side-branchwater hammer arrestor, as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples presented herein generally include fluid systems having a waterhammer arrestor including a resilient insert that can be operable todampen a pressure spike in fluid that exceeds a static pressure range,providing effective water hammer arrestment that without the resilientinsert, would have occurred in a flowing fluid with the pressure spike.The static pressure range can be less than about 100 pounds per squareinch in gauge (psig).

Some implementations of the disclosed technology will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thisdisclosed technology may, however, be embodied in many different formsand should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forththerein.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth.But it is to be understood that implementations of the disclosedtechnology may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not beenshown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of thisdescription. References to “one implementation,” “an implementation,”“example implementation,” “some implementations,” “certainimplementations,” “various implementations,” etc., indicate that theimplementation(s) of the disclosed technology so described may include aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not everyimplementation necessarily includes the particular feature, structure,or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in oneimplementation” does not necessarily refer to the same implementation,although it may.

Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take atleast the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is intended to mean aninclusive “or.” Further, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended tomean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context tobe directed to a singular form.

Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,”“second,” “third,” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicatethat different instances of like objects are being referred to, and arenot intended to imply that the objects so described should be in a givensequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any othermanner.

FIG. 1A illustrates a fluid system 100. The fluid system 100 can includea water hammer arrestor 100 a, an upstream fluidic conduit 101 a (i.e.an upstream portion of a fluidic conduit), and a downstream fluidicconduit 101 b (i.e. a downstream portion of a fluidic conduit). Theupstream and downstream fluidic conduits 101 a, 101 b can be plumbingfittings, fixtures, connectors, regulators, valves, and/or piping asknown to one of in the art. In example, the fluidic conduits 101 a, 101b can be configured to transport fluid at a static pressure range can beless than about 100 psig. In examples, the static pressure range can bean interval, such as, about 90 psig to about 100 psig. In anotherexample, the static pressure range can be a single value, such as, 100psig. In another example, the static pressure range can be a valuewithin a tolerance of a threshold pressure, such as, 500 psig±10%, or500 psig±50 psig. In examples, the fluidic conduits 101 a, 101 b can beconfigured to withstand a total pressure (i.e. a pressure spike inaddition to the static pressure range) of approximately 160 psig. Thefluidic conduits 101 a, 101 b can be dimensioned, configured, and/oroperable to comply with applicable regulatory codes such as codespublished by the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE), orsimilar regulatory entities. The water hammer arrestor 100 a can includea resilient insert 102, an outer shell 104, a restraining insert 106, afluid inlet connector 108, a fluid outlet connector 110, an upstream end112, and a downstream end 114. The water hammer arrestor 100 a can bedimensioned, configured, and/or operable to comply with applicableregulatory codes such as codes published by the American Society ofSanitary Engineers (ASSE), or similar the regulatory entities. Inexamples, the water hammer arrestor 100 a can be configured to limit atotal pressure (i.e. a pressure spike in addition to the static pressurerange) to be less than approximately 160 psig. Each of the fluidconduits 101 a, 101 b can be operable to transport a fluid into and/orout of the water hammer arrestor 100 a.

Turning to FIG. 1B, the resilient insert 102 can be operable to dampen apressure spike in the fluid that exceeds the static pressure range,providing effective water hammer arrestment that without the resilientinsert 102, would have occurred in the fluid with the pressure spike.The static pressure range is less than about 100 psig. The resilientinsert 102 can be made of a polymeric matrix having a stiffness. Thestiffness of the polymeric matrix can be similar to that of syntacticfoam, as would be understood by one of skill in the art. The polymericmatrix can be, for example, a urethane or a silicone rubber. Thepolymeric matrix can include microspheres dispersed within the polymericmatrix. The microspheres can have an internal pressure of 0.1 MPa orgreater. Additionally or alternatively, the microspheres can behomogenously dispersed throughout the polymeric matrix. Additionally oralternatively, the microspheres can be heterogeneously dispersedthroughout the polymeric matrix. The resilient insert 102 can havecylindrical, cuboid, spherical, patterned and/or asymmetric shape. Theresilient insert 102 can have an annular, a solid, a honeycomb, and/or acuboid cross-section. Additionally or alternatively, the cross-sectionof the resilient insert 102 can be asymmetric and/or patterned.

Additionally or alternatively, the resilient insert 102 can be segmentedinto two or more discrete resilient insert portions, for example, afirst discrete resilient insert portion 102 a and a second discreteresilient insert portion 102 b. The first discrete resilient insertportion 102 a can physically abut the second resilient insert portion102 b. The resilient insert 102 can be segmented in a cross-sectionaldirection, axial direction, and/or in a diagonal direction. The segmentscan have curvilinear and/or linear cuts. Additionally or alternatively,the cuts to segment the resilient insert 102 into a first discreteresilient insert portion 102 a and the second discrete resilient insertportion 102 b can be along the outer surface 102 c of the resilientinsert 102. It may be advantageous to segment the resilient insert 102along the outer surface 102 c because the lack of direct connectivitybetween the first discrete resilient insert portion 102 a and the secondresilient insert portion 102 b may reduce compression in the radialdirection of each resilient insert portion 102 a, 102 b. This isdesirable because radial compression can lead to reduced performance ofthe arrestor.

Additionally or alternatively, each discrete portion can differentpolymeric matrices, microsphere dispersion, microsphere internalpressures, and/or stiffnesses. It may be advantageous to have apolymeric matrix with dispersed pressurized microspheres because duringa water hammer event, the polymeric matrix can absorb a portion of thepressure spike and convert it into a mechanical displacement of thepolymeric matrix. Additionally, the pressurized microspheres furtherabsorb a portion of the pressure spike by compressing under a pressuregreater than their internal pressure. Further, common polymeric foammaterials may not be mechanically robust enough for use in WHA devices,and are at a volume disadvantage because their pore spaces are at lowerinitial gas pressures than the pressures in free-piston devices.

Additionally or alternatively, the resilient insert 102 can include aninner surface 102 d, the inner surface 102 d can define therethrough achannel 102 f (i.e. a cavity) for a fluid flowing along a length of theresilient insert 102. The resilient insert 102 can include at least oneopening 102 e that connects the outer surface 102 c to the inner surface102 d. Additionally or alternatively, the channel 102 f can have a firstopening 102 e connecting to an inner surface 102 d, which can define acavity. Additionally or alternatively, the channel 102 f can have asecond opening operable to connect the outer surface 102 c to the innersurface 102 d. Additionally or alternatively, the outer surface 102 c ofthe resilient insert 102 can define a channel between the outer surface102 c and the outer shell 104 for a fluid flowing along a length of theresilient insert 102, as will be discussed in detail in FIG. 2B.Additionally or alternatively, the resilient insert 102 can beconcentrically aligned within the outer shell 104.

Turning to FIG. 1C, the outer shell 104 can have an inner surface 104 aand an opening 104 b. Additionally or alternatively, the outer shell 104can have a restraining portion 104 c integral to the outer shell 104 andoperable to restrain the resilient insert 102 within the outer shell 104to prevent clogging of the fluid outlet connector 110. The restrainingportion 104 c can be one or more of: nubs, claws, protrusions, patterns,and/or diameter reducing mechanisms. The outer shell 104 can bemanufactured from plastics such as PVC, and/or metals such as copper,and can be operable to withstand pressures exceeding 100 psig.

Turning to FIG. 1D, the restraining insert 106 can include a permeabletube 106 a having a first end 106 b and a second end 106 c. Thepermeable tube 106 a (i.e. a permeable cage) can include a number ofholes, slots, and/or other perforation operable to allow fluid transferto and from the resilient insert. Additionally or alternatively, thepermeable tube 106 a can be a permeable membrane operable to allowfluids to diffuse into and out of the resilient insert 102. For example,the permeable tube 106 a can be at least partially surrounded by theresilient insert 102. In another example, the permeable tube 106 a canat least partially surround the resilient insert 102. Additionally oralternatively, the permeable tube 106 a can include a first flange 106 don at least one of the first or second end 106 b, 106 c. The firstflange 106 d can be operable to restrain the resilient insert 102 withinthe outer shell 104 keeping the resilient insert 102 from clogging thefluid outlet connector 110. Additionally or alternatively, the permeabletube 106 a can include a second flange 106 e on at least one of thefirst or second end 106 b, 106 c. The second flange 106 e can beoperable to restrain the resilient insert 102 within the outer shell 104keeping the resilient insert 102 from clogging the fluid inlet connector108. At least one of the first of second flanges 106 d, 106 e can havean outer diameter D1 configured to reside within in the outer shell 104.The restraining insert 106 can be manufactured from plastics such asPVC, and/or metals such as copper.

Turning back to FIG. 1A, the fluid inlet connector 108 can be disposedon an upstream end 112 of the water hammer arrestor 100 a providing bothconnectivity of the upstream end 112 of the water hammer arrestor 100 ato the upstream fluidic conduit 101 a and to inhibit travel of theresilient insert 102 into the upstream fluidic conduit 101 a. The fluidinlet connector 108 can include a threaded portion configured to receivethe upstream fluidic conduit 101 a. One of skill in the art wouldappreciate that the threads can comply with existing standards for pipethreads, for example, American National Standard Pipe thread (NPT)standards. The fluid inlet connector 108 can be manufactured from metalsand/or plastics. In an example, the fluid inlet connector 108 can beintegral to the outer shell 104. In an example, the fluid inletconnector 108 can be discrete from the outer shell 104. The fluid inletconnector 108 can be manufactured from plastics such as PVC, and/ormetals such as copper.

The fluid outlet connector 110 (i.e. fluid connector) can be disposed ona downstream end 114 of the water hammer arrestor 100 a providing bothconnectivity of the downstream end 114 of the water hammer arrestor 100a to the downstream fluidic conduit 101 b and to inhibit travel of theresilient insert 102 into the downstream fluidic conduit 101 b. Thefluid outlet connector 110 can include a threaded portion configured toreceive the downstream fluidic conduit 101 b. One of skill in the artwould appreciate that the threads can comply with existing standards forpipe threads, for example, American National Standard Pipe thread (NPT)standards. The fluid outlet connector 110 can be manufactured frommetals and/or plastics. In an example, the fluid outlet connector 110can be integral to the outer shell 104. In an example, the fluid outletconnector 110 can be discrete from the outer shell 104. Additionally oralternatively, the fluid inlet connector 108 and the fluid outletconnector 110 can be a single connector operable to receive anddischarge fluid to and from the fluidic conduits 101 a, 101 b. The fluidoutlet connector 110 can be manufactured from plastics such as PVC,and/or metals such as copper.

FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example water hammerarrestor 100 a. Water hammer arrestor 100 a can include the resilientinsert 102, for example, including the first discrete resilient insertportion 102 a, and the second resilient insert portion 102 b configuredsuch that each portion 102 a, 102 b can have a partially annularcross-section, which when configured to physically abut one another,form an annular cross-section. The channel 102 f can have an innerdiameter D2. The inner diameter D2 can be similar in dimension to aninner diameter of the upstream and/or downstream fluidic conduit 101 a,101 b. The permeable tube 106 a can be surrounded by the resilientinsert 102.

FIG. 2B. illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example water hammerarrestor. The permeable tube 106 a (i.e. permeable cage) can surroundthe outer surface 102 c of the resilient insert 102. The channel 102 fcan be defined between the inner surface 104 a of the outer shell 104,and the outer surface 102 c of the resilient insert 102. The resilientinsert 102 can be centered within the outer shell 104 by utilizing thefirst and/or second flange 106 d, 106 e, of the restraining insert 106and/or an integral restraining portion 104 c.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an example side-branch water hammerarrestor 100 b. The side-branch water hammer arrestor 100 b can includethe resilient insert 102, the outer shell 104, and the fluid connector110 (i.e. the fluid outlet connector 110 discussed above). Theside-branch water hammer arrestor 100 b can be dimensioned, configured,and/or operable to comply with applicable regulatory codes such as codespublished by the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE), orsimilar the regulatory entities. In examples, the side-branch waterhammer arrestor 100 b can be configured to limit a total pressure (i.e.a pressure spike in addition to the static pressure range) to be lessthan approximately 160 psig. The resilient insert 102 can be positionedwithin the outer shell 104. The fluid connector 110 can be operable toallow fluid into and out of the resilient insert 102.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method 300 for manufacturing an examplein-line water hammer arrestor. At block 302, the method can includeproviding a resilient insert having an outer surface and an innersurface, the inner surface defining therethrough a channel for a fluidto flow along a length of the resilient insert, the resilient insertbeing operable to dampen a pressure spike in the fluid that exceeds astatic pressure range and provide water hammer arrestment that, withoutthe resilient insert, would have occurred in the flowing fluid with thepressure spike. Additionally or alternatively, the resilient insert caninclude a first discrete resilient insert portion and a second discreteresilient insert portion that can be operable to physically abut oneanother, preventing radial compression of the resilient insert that maylead to ineffective water hammer arrestment. Additionally oralternatively, the resilient insert can have a substantially annularcross-section. Additionally or alternatively, each of several discreteresilient insert portions can have a partially annular cross-section.Additionally or alternatively, first discrete resilient insert portionand second discrete resilient insert portion can be segmented axially.

At block 304, the method can include providing an outer shell extendingalong the outer surface of the resilient insert, the outer shell havingan integral fluid connector, and an inner wall, the integral fluidconnector disposed proximate an upstream end of the outer shell.Additionally or alternatively, the integral fluid connector disposed onan upstream end of the outer shell can be configured to provide fluidconnectivity between an upstream portion of the channel and an upstreamend of a fluidic conduit. Additionally or alternatively, the outer shellcan include a restraining portion integral to the outer shell operableto restrain the resilient insert within the outer shell. At block 306,the method can include providing a restraining insert comprising apermeable tube operable to enable fluid communication between theresilient insert and the channel. At block 308, the method can includeproviding a discrete fluid connector disposed on a downstream end of theouter shell. Additionally or alternatively, the discrete fluid connectordisposed on a downstream end of the outer shell provides fluidconnectivity between a downstream portion of the channel and adownstream end of a fluidic conduit.

At block 310, the method can include inserting the restraining insertwithin the outer shell. Additionally or alternatively, the restraininginsert can include at least one flange with an outer diameter anddisposed on at least one end of the permeable tube, the outer diameterof the flange can abut an inner surface of the outer shell, and theflange can be operable to restrain the resilient insert within the outershell. At block 312, the method can include inserting the resilientinsert into the outer shell. At block 314, the method can includeattaching the discrete fluid connector to the downstream end of theouter shell.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 400 for manufacturing an exampleside-branch water hammer arrestor. At block 402, the method can includeproviding a resilient insert having an outer surface. The resilientinsert can include an opening positioned on the outer surface andconnecting to an inner surface, the inner surface defining a cavity.Additionally or alternatively, the resilient insert can include a firstdiscrete resilient insert portion and a second discrete resilient insertportion, each portion operable to physically abut one another.Additionally or alternatively, each of the discrete resilient insertportion can include a partially annular cross-section. Additionally oralternatively, the resilient insert can be segmented axially to form afirst discrete resilient insert portion and a second discrete resilientinsert portion. Additionally or alternatively, the resilient insert canhave a substantially annular cross-section.

At block 404, the method can include providing an outer shell having anopening that connects to an inner surface configured to receive at leasta portion of the resilient insert. Additionally or alternatively, theouter shell further can include a restraining portion integral to theouter shell and operable to restrain the resilient insert within theouter shell. At block 406, the method can include providing a fluidconnector. At block 408, the method can include inserting the resilientinsert within the outer shell. At block 410, the method can includeaffixing the fluid connector to the opening of the outer shell providingfluid connectivity for fluid flow into and out of the resilient insert.

In an example, a water hammer arrester can include a rigid outer shelland a cylindrical compliant liner with an annular bore. The neck betweenthe lined section of the arrester and the main fluid flow path can bethe same diameter as that of the main flow path. ANSI/ASSE standard1010-2004 is applicable to water hammer arresters, and specifies thatthe maximum permissible dynamic overpressure be limited to no more than1 MPa (150 psig) in order to be classified as being in conformance withthe standard.

In an example, a water hammer arrestor can include a foam materialconfigured as a lining within a cylindrical pressure-containing shell,and with a central tube. However, under pressure, the cylinder of foamcompresses radially, causing loading on the support tube, reduction ofperformance, and the potential to trap pressure. The foam material canbe segmented into one or more axial segments, such that there need notbe continuity of material in the circumferential direction prevents theradial compression of the foam, eliminating the behavior that impairsthe performance.

In an example, a water hammer arrestor uses an axially segmentedsyntactic foam. The syntactic foam can be comprised of a host matrix(such as a urethane) with embedded microspheres. The microspheres can becharged with gas, at a pressure which may be above atmospheric pressure.Under pressure, the microspheres buckle, reducing the stiffness of thematerial, while retaining the gas itself. In addition, the high volumefraction of microspheres (typically 50%) yields a material with afine-grained micro-structure, such that the host material alsocontributes compliance. In concert, the macroscopically segmentedsyntactic foam liner retains compliance to higher static pressure ascompared to classical foams. The segmentation prevents pressure trappingand radial collapse of the liner, such that the water hammer arrestorperforms its intended function across varying system pressure.

While certain techniques and methods of the disclosed technology havebeen described in connection with what is presently considered to be themost practical implementations, it is to be understood that thedisclosed technology is not to be limited to the disclosedimplementations, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope ofthe appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, theyare used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

This written description uses examples to disclose certainimplementations of the disclosed technology, including the best mode,and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice certainimplementations of the disclosed technology, including making and usingany devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. Thepatentable scope of certain implementations of the disclosed technologyis defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur tothose skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be withinthe scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do notdiffer from the literal language of the claims, or if they includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral language of the claims.

1. A fluid system comprising: a water hammer arrestor comprising: aresilient insert having an outer surface; an outer shell extending for alength of the outer surface of the resilient insert; and a permeablecage extending along the outer surface of the resilient insert andpositioned between the outer shell and the resilient insert; wherein theresilient insert is operable to dampen a pressure spike in the fluidthat exceeds a static pressure range, providing effective water hammerarrestment that, without the resilient insert, would have occurred in aflowing fluid with the pressure spike; and wherein the static pressurerange is less than about 100 psig.
 2. The fluid system of claim 1,wherein the water hammer arrestor further comprises an inner surface,the inner surface defining therethrough a channel for a fluid flowingalong a length of the resilient insert within a static pressure range.3. The fluid system of claim 1, wherein the outer shell defines a fluidchannel between the outer surface of the resilient insert and an innersurface of the outer shell.
 4. The fluid system of claim 1 furthercomprising a restraining portion integral to the outer shell andoperable to restrain the resilient insert within the outer shell.
 5. Thefluid system of claim 1, wherein the resilient insert and the outershell are concentrically aligned.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The fluid system ofclaim 1 further comprising an existing length of a fluidic conduit;wherein the water hammer arrestor is located between an upstream portionand downstream portion of the existing length of the fluidic conduit;and wherein the upstream portion of the existing length of the fluidicconduit, the water hammer arrestor, and the downstream portion of theexisting length of the fluidic conduit, are in fluidic communicationalong the existing length of the portions and water hammer arrestor. 8.The fluid system of claim 7 further comprising: a fluid inlet connectordisposed on an upstream end of the water hammer arrestor providing bothconnectivity of the upstream end of the water hammer arrestor to theupstream portion of the fluidic conduit and to inhibit travel of theresilient insert into the upstream portion of the fluidic conduit; and afluid outlet connector disposed on a downstream end of the water hammerarrestor providing both connectivity of the downstream end of the waterhammer arrestor to the downstream portion of the fluidic conduit and toinhibit travel of the resilient insert into the downstream portion ofthe fluidic conduit. 9.-10. (canceled)
 11. The fluid system of claim 1,wherein the resilient insert comprises a first discrete resilient insertportion and a second discrete resilient insert portion that are operableto physically abut one another, preventing radial compression of theresilient insert that would lead to ineffective water hammer arrestment.12. A fluid system comprising: a water hammer arrestor comprising: aresilient insert having an annular cross-section and comprising: anouter surface; a first discrete resilient insert portion; and a seconddiscrete resilient insert portion; wherein the resilient insert isoperable to dampen a pressure spike in the fluid that exceeds a staticpressure range, providing effective water hammer arrestment that,without the resilient insert, would have occurred in a flowing fluidwith the pressure spike; wherein the static pressure range is less thanabout 100 psig; wherein the first discrete resilient insert portion andthe second discrete resilient insert portion are operable to physicallyabut one another, preventing radial compression of the resilient insertthat would lead to ineffective water hammer arrestment; and wherein eachdiscrete resilient insert portion comprises a partially annularcross-section.
 13. The fluid system of claim 12, wherein the resilientinsert is segmented axially to form the first discrete resilient insertportion and the second discrete resilient insert portion.
 14. The fluidsystem of claim 1, wherein the resilient insert comprises: a polymericmatrix having a stiffness; and microspheres dispersed within thepolymeric matrix.
 15. The fluid system of claim 14, wherein themicrospheres are pressurized to an internal pressure of 0.1 MPa orgreater; and wherein the microspheres are homogeneously dispersed withinthe polymeric matrix.
 16. The fluid system of claim 14, wherein themicrospheres are pressurized to an internal pressure of 0.1 MPa orgreater; and wherein the microspheres are heterogeneously dispersedwithin the polymeric matrix.
 17. A fluid system comprising: a waterhammer arrestor comprising: a resilient insert having an outer surfaceand comprising: a first discrete resilient insert portion; and a seconddiscrete resilient insert portion; wherein the resilient insert isoperable to dampen a pressure spike in the fluid that exceeds a staticpressure range, providing effective water hammer arrestment that,without the resilient insert, would have occurred in a flowing fluidwith the pressure spike; wherein the static pressure range is less thanabout 100 psig; wherein the first discrete resilient insert portion andthe second discrete resilient insert portion are operable to physicallyabut one another, preventing radial compression of the resilient insertthat would lead to ineffective water hammer arrestment; and wherein eachdiscrete resilient insert portion comprises: a polymeric matrix having astiffness; and microspheres dispersed within the polymeric matrix;wherein the microspheres are pressurized to an internal pressure of 0.1MPa or greater; and wherein the stiffness of the polymeric matrix of atleast one of the discrete resilient insert portions is different fromanother of the discrete resilient insert portions.
 18. A water hammerarrestor system comprising: an upstream portion of a fluidic conduit; awater hammer arrestor positioned downstream of the upstream portion ofthe fluidic conduit; and a downstream portion of the fluidic conduit andpositioned downstream the water hammer arrestor; wherein the waterhammer arrestor comprises: a resilient insert having an annularcross-section, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the inner surfacedefining therethrough a channel, the channel having an inner diametersubstantially similar to an inner diameter of the upstream anddownstream portions of the fluidic conduit; and an outer shell extendinga length along an outer surface of the resilient insert; wherein theresilient insert comprises a first discrete resilient insert portion anda second discrete resilient insert portion that are operable tophysically abut one another, preventing radial compression of theresilient insert that would lead to ineffective water hammer arrestment;wherein each discrete resilient insert portion comprises a partiallyannular cross-section; wherein the resilient insert is operable todampen a pressure spike in flowing fluid that exceeds a mean staticpressure, providing effective water hammer arrestment that without theresilient insert, would have occurred in a flowing fluid with thepressure spike; and wherein the mean static pressure is less than about100 psig.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The water hammer arrestor system of claim18, wherein the resilient insert is segmented axially to form the firstdiscrete resilient insert portion and the second discrete resilientinsert portion.
 21. The water hammer arrestor system of claim 18 furthercomprising: a fluid inlet connector disposed on an upstream end of thewater hammer arrestor such that the upstream end of the water hammerarrestor is in communication with the upstream portion of the fluidicconduit and to inhibit travel of the resilient insert into the upstreamportion of the fluidic conduit; and a fluid outlet connector disposed ona downstream end of the water hammer arrestor such that the downstreamend of the water hammer arrestor is in communication with the downstreamportion of the fluidic conduit and to inhibit travel of the resilientinsert into the downstream portion of the fluidic conduit.
 22. The waterhammer arrestor system of claim 21 further comprising a permeable tubeextending for the length of the inner surface of the resilient insertand operable to enable fluidic communication from the fluid inletconnector through the fluid outlet connector.
 23. The water hammerarrestor system of claim 22, wherein the permeable tube furthercomprises a flange positioned on at least one end of the permeable tube,the flange operable to restrain the resilient insert within the outershell.
 24. The water hammer arrestor of claim 18 further comprising arestraining portion integral to the outer shell and operable to restrainthe resilient insert within the outer shell.
 25. The water hammerarrestor system of claim 18 further comprising: a fluid inlet connectordisposed on an upstream end of the water hammer arrestor; a fluid outletconnector disposed on a downstream end of the water hammer arrestor; anda restraining insert comprising a permeable tube is operable to enablefluidic communication from the fluid inlet connector and through thefluid outlet connector.
 26. The water hammer arrestor system of claim 25further comprising a flange with an outer diameter disposed on an end ofthe permeable tube; wherein the outer diameter of the flange abuts aninner surface of the outer shell; and wherein the flange is operable torestrain the resilient insert within the length of the outer shell. 27.The water hammer arrestor of claim 25 further comprising a restrainingportion integral to the outer shell and operable to restrain theresilient insert within the outer shell.
 28. A fluid system comprising:a water hammer arrestor comprising: a resilient insert having an outersurface and comprising at least a first discrete resilient insertportion and a second discrete resilient insert portion that are operableto physically abut one another; wherein the resilient insert is operableto dampen a pressure spike in fluid that exceeds a static pressurerange, providing effective water hammer arrestment that without theresilient insert, would have occurred in a flowing fluid with thepressure spike; and wherein each discrete resilient insert portioncomprises: a polymeric matrix having a stiffness; and microspheresdispersed within the polymeric matrix; wherein the microspheres arepressurized to an internal pressure of 0.1 MPa or greater; and whereinthe stiffness of the polymeric matrix of at least one discrete resilientinsert portion is different from another discrete resilient insertportion. 29.-49. (canceled)
 50. A method for manufacturing an in-linewater hammer arrestor, the method comprising: providing a resilientinsert having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surfacedefining therethrough a channel for a fluid flowing along a length ofthe resilient insert within a static pressure range, the resilientinsert being operable to dampen a pressure spike in the fluid thatexceeds the static pressure range and provide water hammer arrestmentthat, without the resilient insert, would have occurred in the flowingfluid with the pressure spike; providing an outer shell extending alongthe outer surface of the resilient insert, the outer shell having anintegral fluid connector, and an inner wall, the integral fluidconnector disposed proximate an upstream end of the outer shell;providing a restraining insert comprising a permeable tube operable toenable fluid communication between the resilient insert and the channel;providing a discrete fluid connector disposed on a downstream end of theouter shell; inserting the restraining insert within the outer shell;inserting the resilient insert into the outer shell; and attaching thediscrete fluid connector to the downstream end of the outer shell.51.-57. (canceled)
 58. A method for manufacturing a side-branch waterhammer arrestor, the method comprising: providing a resilient inserthaving an outer surface; providing an outer shell having an opening thatconnects to an inner surface configured to receive at least a portion ofthe resilient insert; providing a fluid connector; inserting theresilient insert within the outer shell; and affixing the fluidconnector to the opening of the outer shell providing fluid connectivityfor fluid flow into and out of the resilient insert. 59.-65. (canceled)